Rome

To the north, the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle dominates the lake and the town of Bracciano; it is a magnificent Renaissance residence dating back to 1470 and has been inhabited by the same family since 1696.

To the south of Rome, in the Castelli Romani area, there are two other small lakes of volcanic origin with numerous places of interest:

• Lake Albano, overlooked by the beautiful village of Castel Gandolfo, known as the papal summer residence;
• Lake Nemi, where you can admire the village of the same name (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy) and the Temple of Diana.

Don't miss the family-friendly circular trails around the two lakes and the Sentiero dei due laghi, which starts at the Capuchin monastery and leads to the arch of Palazzo Ruspoli, following in the footsteps of an ancient Roman road.

Cycling enthusiasts should take the opportunity to explore the Appia Antica Regional Park, a protected area that stretches from the Baths of Caracalla to the Alban Hills and follows the Via Appia Antica. You can drive past ancient tombs and the remains of aqueducts, and visit the catacombs along the way.

The province of Rome offers numerous opportunities to discover ancient ruins and necropolises. After a stop in the ancient village of Tolfa, known for the remains of an abbey perched among the rocks, you can follow the ring of Monte Piantangeli, an easy route that winds through pleasant hills to the remains of the Carolingian period and finally to the summit of the mountain.

Or choose the ring of Monte Castagno and Necropoli del Ferrone, which crosses the typical landscape of the Tolfa mountains between pastures and springs and the valley of the river Lenta, dominated by an Etruscan necropolis.

The Via degli Inferi, an Etruscan quarry road on the outskirts of Cerveteri, is also beautiful and impressive. Here you can take an easy and impressive walk among the ancient Etruscan tombs dug into the tufa.

A visit to the Banditaccia Necropolis, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must, but the route that continues into Valle Vittoria holds other surprises between nature and archaeology, such as the Great Eastern Tumuli with tombs from the 7th and 6th centuries BC and remains of settlements from the same period.

For fans of romantic villages, not far from here is the old Monterano, a ghost town abandoned 200 years ago that was the setting for numerous films, including the famous "Marquis del Grillo" and "Ben-Hur". A short and easy hike takes you to various places in the Monterano Regional Nature Park: a zolfatara, an old Renaissance aqueduct, a forest and finally the ghost town.

On the coast, there is a beautiful route that leads through the natural monument of La Frasca with its rugged coastline and pine forests to archaeological sites such as Porto Columna, an ancient Roman port.

For those who are passionate about nature and spirituality, we recommend an excursion from Subiaco to the Cascata di Trevi waterfall or the two- or three-stage ring route of the Monti Simbruini Nature Park for mountain bikes or e-bikes. In addition to the magnificent natural landscapes, the nature park also fascinates with two magnificent Benedictine monasteries - the Sacro Speco di San Benedetto and the monastery of Santa Scolastica -, the old village of Cervara di Roma, the sanctuary of the Holy Trinity and the small lake of San Benedetto. Another hike of medium length and difficulty, suitable for exploring the more mountainous and rural Lazio, is the Via delle Creste, which leads from Capranica to Guadagnolo, the highest town in the region, through forests, clearings, pastures and rock faces.

From the city to the sea: there are numerous seaside resorts in the province of Rome. Ostia, with its beaches and ancient fortifications; Fiumicino, which can also be easily reached via the Regina Ciclarum cycle path; Fregene, which in the past hosted celebrities such as Federico Fellini and Alberto Moravia and today offers a lively nightlife and equipped beaches; Ladispoli, with its black beach; Anzio, famous for its Grotte di Nerone (Nero's Grottoes); Santa Marinella, the "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea"; and Santa Severa, with its fascinating 14th century castle, an imposing manor house, and a beautiful castle. It is an imposing manor house with a characteristic Saracen tower, where you can go on an archaeological tour by SUP.

Those who like to immerse themselves in history will not be disappointed by the province of Rome. Several ancient paths intersect here, many of which led directly to Rome. Here are a few examples:

• the Via Francigena, which connects Canterbury with the capital in 54 stages and is one of the three most important medieval pilgrimage routes
• the Via Amerina, a Roman road that led to Umbria and today passes villages, necropolises and fascinating ruins between pastures and forests
• the Via del Sud, the path of St. Francis, which leads from Rome to Assisi in 22 stages and begins at St. Peter's Basilica
• Via Clodia, a Roman road dating back to the 3rd century BC, which was used for trade with Etruria and is still surrounded by lush, unspoiled nature today

The Via Clodia does not run through Rome, but through a part of its province, the Way of St. Benedict, which also has a mystical flavor: From Norcia, it leads to the Abbey of Montecassino, an important crossroads for the Benedictine monks.